Sean Taylor's Cars Go On Sale

In the Redskins' 11th game last season, they went on the road to play a non-divisional team they had seen again and again in recent years. They couldn't stop fumbling and lost to the Bucs to fall to 5-6, with their playoff hopes dangling by a thread. The next morning, I met some Bog readers in the Tampa airport, including this guy named Rob I knew a little bit. We all discussed the offensive futility from the day before, shook our heads and got on the plane. Didn't really figure that would become my "where were you when" moment.

I saw Rob and his friends a few hours later in BWI. They told me Sean Taylor had been shot, and that it was serious. I got in my car, and listened to people talk about it for something like 72 hours straight. I obviously didn't have the emotional attachment--aside from understanding it was something a lot of people in D.C. shared together, and would always share together--but it was one of those moments, and one of those weeks, that you never forget.

So now the Redskins just went on the road again, in their 11th game, to play a non-division team they've seen again and again in recent years. (Of non-division teams, they've played Tampa and Seattle the most in the past six years.) This time they won, to go to 7-4, right in the middle of the playoff mess. There were post-game jokes, and a "Victory Monday" decree from their coach. The feeling, you'd think, could hardly be more different than a year ago.

But we're about to go through a massive dose of "one year ago" memories, which is going to have a lot of people thinking about where they were and what they were doing. My Sean Taylor e-mails have already started, including one today about the latest fundraiser for his daughter. Many of Taylor's remaining possessions were auctioned off two months ago, raising more than $7,000 for charity. This week comes the sale of Taylor's extensive collection of vehicles, via an online auction that will end on Dec. 2.

Among the vehicles: a 1995 Chevy Impala SS, a 2005 GMC Yukon Denali, three 2005 Yahama all-terrain vehicles, and a 2007 35-foot Contender boat, and a 2004 BMW 760 with a pretty remarkable description:

Sean bought this car when he was drafted in 2004. It was his customized Redskins burgundy masterpiece. He loved this car so much that I think he actually liked to look at it more than drive it. He only drove it to games and other special events. That's why it only has about 35k miles on it. He took a lot of pride in preserving this car and always said he was going to keep it forever - It was the first gift he bought for himself when he was drafted.

As of this writing, the eBay site has pretty limited bids, with the BMW at $25,600, the boat at $40,100, and the Denali under $10k. There's also a guestbook that, for better or worse, demonstrates how passionate many people get when thinking about Taylor and what happened last year.

I put up my 21 and make a prayer every single morning. I think about you, and make me go Angel. You are and always will be my hero, and have completely changed the way I go about living my life. Going to school in Cleveland, OH, there are not many people around me that can relate to my situation, but you are always, always, always in my thought. Please continue to look down on me and make sure I live as strong and amazing of a life as you. I can't wait to meet you up in heaven.

The top three online bidders for each item will be invited to a tribute event in Ashburn on Dec. 2, featuring Taylor's teammates, friends and family. There, the final live auction will distribute the vehicles. All proceeds go to the Sean Taylor Estate Trust. And get ready for another pretty unusual week of football coverage.

I never could have imagined getting news like that as soon as I turned my phone on that morning on the plane...and I hated being the one to break the news to you. I really respected your coverage last year, especially speaking out against Cowherd. Thanks again and I look forward to your writing this week. We'll never forget you Sean...RIP MEAST